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FAQ du stage aux USA — Visa J-1

Frequently Asked Questions and additional information are updated regularly with the questions asked by our participants. However, if you do not find the information you were looking for, Do not hesitate to contact us.

No, you do not need to have an official contract, it will not be requested if you have one.
The contract binds your school, your employer and yourself in relation to essential rules of your business ; these rules do not necessarily apply to sponsors.
In addition, this visa program, addressed to persons who are or are not graduated, does not necessarily require an official contract.

No.
Welcome America is not specialized in the placement of students or young professionals in the U.S.. In the Useful links, you will find sites that will help you find your work experience yourself. Feel free to solicit U.S. companies.

Am I allowed to change employers ?

No, you are not legally allowed to change employers, because the DS-2019 form is issued for a single employer.

However, if your work experience goes badly, you will have 30 days to find a new employer, to make them complete all the necessary documents and to ask the sponsor to visit if necessary . If such a case arises, vous devez contacter le sponsor et/ou America Welcome le plus rapidement possible.

Yes, this is essential.
The American embassy, Which delivers each year a certain number of visas, designated agency official so that they are responsible for administering and monitoring applications for visas. These organizations, named sponsoring organizations, are in charge of studying the visa applications, of gathering the necessary documents, And of monitoring and checking the viability of the project. They deliver to the candidates the official DS-2019 form which proves to the American consulate that the candidate's file has been controlled using legal procedures.
L’ambassade américaine ne traitera pas de demande de visa sans DS-2019 sponsorisé par un organisme sponsor agréé.

Il faut compter en moyenne deux mois entre le début de la constitution de votre dossier et la réception du visa J-1. Once you are in possession of the document, you can now set an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in your home country, usually obtained in less than 5 days.

As a participant in an exchange program approved by the U.S. State Department, you shall receive a J-1 visa. This visa is destined to people wishing to learn while having a serious professional experience in a U.S. company.

Am I required to attend an appointment at the Embassy of the United States ?

Yes, The embassy will process your request only if you go in person at the given an appointment. No visa application is processed by phone or email correspondance. From the 29 July 2012, all temporary visa applicants will be required to complete the DS-160 form and pay the visa application fees by money order before making an appointment. Il sera désormais nécessaire de fournir les références du formulaire DS-160 et du mandat-compte lors de la prise de rendez-vous.

Do I have to go the the embassy in Paris ? Or can I apply elsewhere?

If you are a French citizen or possess a residence card valid for another 10 years, the an appointment will be at the Embassy in Paris. If you are a citizen of another country, your visa application must be in your country of origin. In any case, whatever your nationality may be, you can not make your visa applications in the U.S..

Yes, medical insurance is mandatory and must be purchased by your sponsor (c’est une exigence des autorités américaines). It is impossible to subtract the insurance fee of the total fee, even if you are insured by a private organization . Sachez que les assurances privées et/ou mutuelles françaises ne sont pas forcément reconnues par le système de santé américain, You therefore need to pay the fees and then ask for refund. You will then most likely refunded on the basis of French fees, as you probably know, U.S. medical fees are very high.

If the first J-1 visa category was Work & Travel, There is no time limit between two visa applications, but you must return to your country of origin to do the second request.

Si vous souhaitez demander un visa Intern et que le premier visa J-1 était en catégorie Intern, you must justify an additional semester of study or work experience, between the two internships in the USA, prior to applying for the second visa. Il est recommandé de ne pas demander un second visa avec le même employeur.

Si vous souhaitez demander un visa Trainee et que le premier visa J-1 était en catégorie Intern ou and Trainee, you must justify two additional years of professional experience, between the two internships in the USA, before asking for a new visa.

Can I arrive before the start date of my visa ?

Yes, up to 30 days before, but we advise you to not use this to the maximum. If you wish to arrive before you move in, we advice you to arrive around 15 days before the start date of your visa.

Can I bring(e) my husband(or wife), and my children ?

Yes, you must apply for a J-2 visa, specifically destined to people accompanying a candidate who is applying for a J-1 visa.

The J-2 visa does not allow its possessors to work on U.S. territory. The application of J-2 visa must be made with the same sponsor organization who supported the request your J-1 visa.

No, this is absolutely prohibited. The J-1 visa is valid for one employer only. No other employer can make you an employment contract.

Can I temporarily leave the United States during my stay ?

Yes, but only if you have got your DS-2019 form signed by your’sponsor organization before you leave for another country . If your DS-2019 is not signed by the sponsor, it will be impossible to re-enter the U.S. territory being covered by your J-1 visa. Nous vous conseillons de vous charger de cette formalité deux semaines avant votre départ.

You can get your social security number by going to the office which is closest to you, a few days after the first check-in. For more information, you can ask your employer and handbook will tell you what to do.

What documents do I always need to have in my possession ?

– Your passport, with your J-1 visa pasted inside.

– Your DS-2019 form because without it, the J-1 visa is not valid.

– The I-94 form, stapled into your passport by the immigration officer on your arrival.

– Your insurance card.

What to do if I loose my DS-2019 form ?

You should immediately contact the sponsor organization .
The reissue of the DS-2019 will cost $50, plus eventual shipping charges.
Without this document, you are not legally entitled to work in U.S. territory. We recommend that you make a photocopy in order to avoid any problems.

What to do if I lose my passport ?

Contact the’nearest French Embassy or Consulate as quickly as possible, to obtain a new passport as quickly as possible. A photocopy of your passport will make this task much easier , remember to keep a separate photocopy of such documents.

My work experience is going very well, the company wishes to keep me longer, what should I do?

First of all, check that the total extension time will not exceed the total authorized amount (12 months in Intern, 18 month in and Trainee, 12 month in and Trainee Hospitality/Restoration). Then, contact the sponsor a month before the end of the first period of time if possible so that they can explain to you about the new documents to fill and the fees. The document will be a new DS-7002 justifying the following of your mission and fees vary depending on the number of additional months you wish to stay.

My work experience is not going well, Can I change employers ?

Normally, no.

However, if your employer agrees to let you go and if you provide proof that your work experience is not going well, you will have 30 days to find a new employer, to make them complete all the necessary documents and to ask the sponsor to visit if necessary . If such a case arises, contact your sponsor as quickly as possible.